Egypt presidential poll result delayed as tensions rise

The results of Egypt's presidential run-off have been delayed by the election authorities, further raising tension across the polarised country.

They had been due to be announced on Thursday, but the election commission said it needed more time to look into complaints presented by the candidates.

The Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Mursi and former PM Ahmed Shafiq both claim they won last weekend's vote.

Thousands of opposition supporters are protesting in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

They have gathered to demonstrate against the delay in announcing the poll result and also against the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf) - the military council that has led the country since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted last year.

Increasing speculation

The Muslim Brotherhood called people into the square to voice their outrage over recent constitutional amendments which gave the Scaf sweeping political and legislative powers.

Election candidates

Ahmed Shafiq (L)

Aged 70

Veteran fighter pilot and former air force commander

Appointed Egypt's first aviation minister, earning reputation for competence and efficiency

Promoted to PM during February 2011 protests

Associated with former regime, though denies being backed by ruling military council

Campaigned on a promise to restore security

Mohammed Mursi (R)

Aged 60

US-educated engineering professor

Head of Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP)

Served as independent MP 2000-05

Quietly spoken, viewed by some as lacking charisma

Has promised "stability, security, justice and prosperity" under an Islamic banner

The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says that if the Muslim Brotherhood has won the election, there are doubts over whether the authorities would allow them to take power after fighting them for so many decades.

There is increasingly fevered speculation about whether the election will be cancelled or rigged, he adds.

Meanwhile, 84-year-old Mubarak remains in critical condition at an army hospital in Cairo.

He is said to have had a series of strokes and to be on a life-support machine, but there has been no official word on his condition.

Earlier this month, Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the death of protesters during last year's revolution.

Correspondents say there are fears that Mubarak's failing health could be used as a distraction as Egypt awaits the result of the hotly disputed election.

'Limbo'

On Wednesday, the Higher Presidential Elections Commission (HPEC) said that some 400 election complaints had been filed by the two candidates.

The commission said it needed more time to investigate the complaints, without giving any new date for the announcement of the results.

However, media reports suggest that the poll winner could be declared over the weekend.

Nader Omran, a spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, told the BBC that the announcement should not have been delayed.

"It will bring more tension to the people - they should end the story tomorrow (Thursday)", he said.

Protests continued in Tahrir Square late into the night, with the Brotherhood saying they will mount a sit-in until the results are announced, and until the army gives up the sweeping powers it granted itself in a constitutional amendment last week, reports the BBC's Shaimaa Khalil in Cairo.

Correspondents say Egypt appears to be in political and constitutional limbo.

In
preliminary comments on the second round
of the presidential election, a group of international election monitors headed by former US President Jimmy Carter voiced concerns about the "political and constitutional context" of the vote.